Receives 120 months in federal prison
ALBANY, NEW YORK - James J. McGonigle, age 42, of Troy, was sentenced today in Albany before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on distribution and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiNicola. McGonigle was sentenced to 120 months on Distribution of Child Pornography and 120 months on Possession of Child Pornography, to run concurrently, for a total sentence of 10 years. The sentence included 15 years of supervised release upon release from prison and a $200 special assessment fee.
As part of his guilty plea, McGonigle admitted that he distributed videos of child pornography by e-mail. On March 5, 2014, investigators executed a federal search warrant at McGonigle’s residence in Troy, New York, and recovered 364 still images and 50 videos depicting child pornography from his smartphone.
"Child pornography consists of photographic images of minors, even infants, being sexually harmed, humiliated and scarred for life. Sentences for defendants who view and share such images must serve as both a deterrent and a warning that such behavior is wrong and will not be tolerated," said United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey C. Coffman.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
